CHENNAI: For laughter therapist, holistic healer and counsellor, Dr Suchitra Kaul Misra, her charming garden with all its pretty colourful flowers and other interesting details, keeps her grounded and has helped in her own healing It has seen her through the ups and downs of life for the last decade...
The flowers are all grown according to colour-the red ones are bunched together, then there are the ones in different hues of purple, then there are patches of yellow ones.
“I believe that Nature smiles in colours and when you see myriad of hues in Nature, you truly feel that She is smiling at you. All the aspects of my Healing Garden appeal to the six senses. I have a waterfall which is the water element, candles lit in the garden add to the fire element, the scent of the flowers is a sensory experience and the sound of the water in the fall appeals to the ears and is soothing. Sitting in the midst of Nature is therapeutic and healing. You do not need a large space. Keep and nurture a small garden in your terrace of balcony and try to incorporate all the elements in it.”
Dr Misra’s garden has halyconia, Bird of Paradise, bunches of red flowers called Exora, Morning Glory, hibiscus in red, pink and yellow. The red hibiscus is ever flowering except that its petals are always closed. The garden has lots of wild creepers some of which are native to Bangalore.
Aloe Vera which is so beneficial for the skin grows here, there is a small lemon tree and betel creeper, the evergreen vine- Thanbargia gradiflora, the lilac Jacaranda, one of our city’s signature blooms can be spotted, there’s the violet lotus water lily in the waterfall pond. She has Thunbergia Alba sky vine in both violet and white. There’s an abundant bloom of Vinca and the begonia vensuta creeper in a vibrant orange. Bursts of Allamanda blossoms in canary yellow and some in chocolate hues add to the beauty. Indian mogra or jasmine adds a heavenly scent. The Nagadali soppu or plant is an anti-snake plant and keeps snakes away. Red poinsettias which are perfect for Christmas and anthuriums in white and red add a chirpy, festive touch. The golden duranta shrub borders the garden.
A kids club meets in the garden to indulge in some laughter therapy and therapeutic games under Dr Misra’s supervision and watchful eye.
Patients who come to Bangalore for medical care, and live in suites owned by Suchitra, often spend time in the garden and rejuvenate themselves.
The ever-smiling and ever-radiant Dr Misra reiterates,“If we are close to the elements everyday in some form, we become healthy and get rejuvenated. Gardens connect you to yourself and to others and to the Divine which is the source of all Creation.’’
In this age of stress, pollution, concrete jungles, and with a shrinking green cover in our Garden City, what could be more refreshing and welcome than home gardens no matter how big or small?